Portable illuminated optical fiber microscope

Abstract

A portable microscope for inspecting fiber optic cables has an illumination system including a selectively positionable light occluder which permits end examination of a cable when in a first position and examination of the optical transmission of the cable when in a second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A microscope for inspecting fiber optic cables, comprising: (a) a housing having an opening therein;   (b) an optical system including a first axis, and an eyepiece, a beam splitter and an objective positioned along said first axis;   (c) a light source positioned in said housing along both a second axis, which intersects said first axis at said beam splitter, and a third axis, which passes through said opening in said housing, whereby said light source is capable of providing illumination along said first, second and third axes; and   (d) a light occluder selectively positionable across said second axis, whereby illumination from said light source is blocked from said first axis when said light occluder is in a first position across said second axis and illumination from said light source is provided along said first, second and third axes when said light occluder is in a second position removed from said second axis.   
     
     
       2. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein said optical system is mounted in an optical tube supported by said housing. 
     
     
       3. The microscope according to claim 2, wherein said optical tube assembly includes means thereon for rotatably mounting said light occluder with respect to and about said third axis. 
     
     
       4. The microscope according to claim 3, wherein said light occluder includes an aperture therein alignable with said second axis when said light occluder is in said second position. 
     
     
       5. The microscope according to claim 4, wherein at least a portion of said light occluder adjacent said aperture is opaque, said opaque portion intersecting said second axis when said light occluder is in said first position. 
     
     
       6. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein said light occluder includes a focusing lens. 
     
     
       7. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein said light occluder is introduceable, to or removable from, said housing through said aperture therein. 
     
     
       8. The microscope according to claim 5, wherein said light occluder is introduceable, to or removable from, said housing through said aperture therein.